Feeler mechanism for looms



I. snow. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT 7, 919- 1,387,319, Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

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mum WWW! "I IN ii I I. SNOW. FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII CT 7. I919.

1,387,319, I Patented Aug. 9, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET *2.

I 7 3O 45 50 1 Ir 2 37 36 Z 50 46 22 In V911 v or UNITED STATES ISAAC SNOW, MASSACHUSETTS, TO DRAPER CORPORATION,

OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF FEEDER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

- Patented A11 9, .1921.

Application filedflctober 7, 1919. Serial -No.-328,975.

Lawrence, in the countyjof Essex and :State of Massachusetts, "have invented an Improvement in FeelerMechanism for Looms, of whichthe following descriptiomin connection with theiaccompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention erelatesto wfeeler mechanism for looms, whereby, when the filling in the active shuttle becomes substantially or not quite exhaustecha train of-mechanism is set in operation toefiect a change in the operative condition of theloom, such, for instance, as stopping the loof-orchanging the filling. Vari us forms of feeler mechanisms have heretofore been devised for effecting the chan e in the condition of the loom onsubstantia exhaustion o-f'fllling in the shuttle, and among these. is that type of feeler mechanism generally known in the practicalart as the sidesw-ipe feeler. -In this general typefiof feeler ,mechanism, the feeler is IIlOLlIllSBduliOI movement in a direction longitudinally of thewshuttle oni'a detecting beat, but is held from such longitudinal movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, whereupon the feeler is moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle to thereby set in operation a train of mechanism to effect replenishment of filling. -In one form of the side swipe feeler mechanism the feeler is given itsmovement longitudinally ofnthe shuttle on the occurrence of substantial exhaustion of filling, by a spring which, as long as a working supplyioffillingris present on a detecting beat, is restrained from eiiecting such movement of the feeler by engagement of the feeler with ithefilling.-

The present invention is more especially directed to this character of feeler mechanism and has for "one of its --.objects vto provide va side swipe feeler mechanism which will *be simple in constructionsand effective andsensitivemin operation. a

In someof the forms of'feeler; mechanisms of the side-swipe type, wherein the *feeler is .given its longitudinal-movement by a spring, it has been proposed to relieve the pressure, ofi :the --surfaee znrithin the shuttle against the end of the -feeler at the critical moment in order to permit the springto move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle. The spring action, however, isv not always reliable. by reason of the variable action that mayoccasionally occur in vthe operation ofv the spring. An important feature ofthe present inventiom-themfore,conslsts of a feelerand a feeler-actuator which vare mounted for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom, and wherein the frontward movement of the feeler actuator is utilized to give movement to the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle.

In carrying this feature ofthe invention into practical effect, the feeler is pressed rearwardly bya light spring which obviates any injurious impact againstthe filling on the. constantly recurring detecting beats of the lay, and the actuator is held in its rearward position by a spring so that both the actuator and the feeler engage a surface carried by the lay on eachdetecting beat, and when the filling --is substantially exhausted, the frontward thrust of the actuator'causes the feeler to be moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle.

The feeler is mounted for-reciprocating movement'on a feeler carrier which is movable toward and-from the frontof the loom and has an arm extending therefrom which is engaged bythe actuator to effect fronte ward movement of the fee'ler carrier and feeler-when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle without effecting longitudinal movement of the feeler, and because such longitudinalmmovement of the feelerfwhen the fill-ingis substantially exhausted.

The invention will be best understood from the following descriptioniand accompanying drawings of one goodpractical form thereof, it being understood that changes and modifications may be made in I the construction without departing from the true scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

In the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a perspective viewat one side of the loom showing the Y feelermechan-ism and its associated parts,imany -of the loom parts being omitted;

Fig, 2 isan enlarged plan view showing the action of the feeler mechanism when a working supply of filling is present on a detecting beat; I

Fig. 3 is a View similar to that of Fig. 2 showing the action of the feeler mechanism when the filling is substantially exhausted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged section on the hue 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The general loom construction and the replenishing mechanism whereby filling is replenished under call of the feeler mechanism, are not shown and described as they may be of usual and well-known construction. The loom frame 1 has secured thereto the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom frame, in which is mounted the transverse or rock shaft 3 of usual construction and from which rises the arm 4, to the upper end portion of which at 5 is pivoted the latch 6. The rear end portion 7 of the latch 6 is adapted to be engaged at times by an operating member 8 which may be either the cam follower or a part connected thereto.

The lay 9 is provided with the usual shuttle box 10 the front wall 11 of which is slotted or cut away, as indicated at 12, to register with an opening 13 in the side of the shuttle, when theshuttle is boxed at the detecting side of the loom. The shuttle 14: contains the usual filling carrier 15. The loom frame 1 has extending therefrom the shipper stand 16 to a slotted arm 17 of which is adjustably secured the feeler stand 18. This may be effected by means of a bolt 19, the construction being such that the feeler stand may be adjusted in proper position relative to the bracket 1'7.

In order that the condition of filling may be ascertained by the feeler mechanism when the shuttle is in the box at the detecting side of the loom, the portions of the feeler mechanism which enter the shuttle to ascertain the condition of filling, are mounted upon the carrier which may be movable toward and from the front of the loom. The carrier may be of any desired type, but in the present instance it com prises a plate 20 which is mounted for re ciprocating movement upon the stand 18. Pivotally mounted on the feeler carrier 20 at 21 is a lever 22 connected at 23 to a rod or transmitter 24. which, at its other end, is connected at 25 to a lever 26 pivoted at 27 on a stand 28 rising from the loom frame. An arm 29 of the lever 26 extends beneath the latch 6, the construction being such that upon movement of the rod or transmitter 24L to the right, Fig. 1, the

end 7 of the latch 6 is moved into operative relation with the operating member 8, and as the operating member moves frontwardly, as usual, the latch 6 and, perforce, the transverse or rock shaft 2, is moved to effect replenishment of filling or actuate a train of mechanism for that purpose.

feeler To provide a'convenient form of support for the pivot 21 of the lever 22, the feeler carrier 20 is provided with an upwardly projecting and inturned lug 30, Fig. 1, through which the pivotal mounting or pin 21 extends and between which and the surface of the feeler carrier 20 the lever 22 may move.

The lever 22 is provided with lugs 31 and 82 through which extends the feeler 33, the rear'end portion 34: of which has a roughened or toothed surface 35 to en gage with the filling or filling carrier, as the case may be, on a detecting beat. A spring 36 is mounted upon the feeler 30 between the lug 32 and a collar 37 secured to the feeler, the construction being such that the spring 36 normally holds the feeler 33 in its rearward feeling position, and since the sole purpose of the spring 36 is to maintain the feeler in its rearward position and cause thelroughened or toothed endjto properly engage or sink into the filling on a detecting beat, the spring 36 may be made relatively light, thereby avoiding any injurious effect by impactof the filling against the feeler.

The feeler stand 18 has at its rear portion an upwardly'extended lugEBS provided with a laterally extending slot 39 through which the feeler 33 extends, and in which thefeeler may have lateral movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, as will more fully appear. A stop or pin 40 on the front end portion of the feeler determines its rearward position under the command ofthe' spring 36.

The feeler standis provided witli a) rear bearing lug 41 and a front bearing lug 12 which are provided with openings through which extends thefeeler actuator 18. The feeler actuator 43 also passes through lugs 44 and 45 rising from the feeler carrier 20 and thereby affords a proper guide for the movement of the feeler carrier2O as it is moved toward and from the front of the loom.

Mounted on the front" portion of the feelerjactnator betweenthe lug 45 on the feeler carrier 20 and the lug 42 on the feeler stand, is a spring Mi which normally acts to hold the feeler'carrier 20 in its rearward position. r v One of the important objects of the present invention consists in utilizing the -f1*ont Ward movement of the actuator to impart movement to the feeler in a-direetion lohgitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted, and one convenient means to this end consists of connections between the feeler member and feeler actuator, "as will now be described.

Extending from the lever 22 is an arm 46 which, in the present instance, is rigid with or formed integral with the lever 22,

and through the end portion of the -arm46 extends'the feeler-actuator 43. A shoulder 47 on the 'feeleractua tor43 which islarger than the opening in the arm 46 through which the actuator passes, serves to turn the lever :22 upon its pivot 21 when the fillin r is substantially exhausted. Should the. lling, however, not be substantially exhausted on a "detecting beatythe toothed or roughened-end 35 of the feeler will sink into the 'fillingand beheld from movement in a direction longitudinally ofthe shuttle, thereby preventing the lever 22 from being turned upon its pivot by the frontward movement of the feeler actuator.

When 'the'feeler 33 and its associated lever 22 have been movedin a direction longitu'dinally of the-shuttle, as will occur on a detecting beat when filling is-substantially exhausted, it is necessary to return the feeler member to its proper feeling position,

as indicated in Fig. 1, as the lay retreats,

so that on replenishment of filling on a non-detecting beatand the presence of a working supply of filling in the shuttle on the following detecting beat, the feeler will be in its normal feeling position to deterother against the lug 45, as indicated in Figs. 1 and'2.

When a working supply of filling is pres ent on a detecting beat, it is desirable that the end 35. of the feeler engage the filling before the end of the feeler actuator engages it in order to permit the toothed or roughened end of the feeler to sink into the filling so that it may beheld from movement longitudinally of the shuttle/by the filling when a working supplyis present. To this end the toothed or engaging end 35 of the feeler 33 normally projects somewhat rearwardly of the end 49 of'the feeler actuator 43, as indicated in Fig. 1.

In operation, with the parts in position, as indicated in Fig. 1, and the lay moving frontwa-rdly on its detecting beat, the feeler and feeler actuator enter the shuttle. The toothed end portion of the feeler first engages the surface within the shuttle and sinks into the filling, if a working supply be present, and then the end 49 of the feeler actuator engagesthe surface within the shuttle. Whena working supply of filling is present and the end 35 of the feeler sinks into the filling, as described, the filling holds the feeler from movement longitudinally of the shuttle, as the lay beats up, and both the feeler and the feeler actuator 43 'move frontwardly, as indicated in Fig. 2,*the feeler 1 actuator acting through the arm 46 to move the feeler carrier "20 as a whole frontwardly. When,

however, the filling has reacheda condition of substantial exhaustion and is no longer feeler actuator will engage the surface and both will be moved frontwardly, but owing to the loose connection of the feeler actuator '43 with the feeler carrier 20 andfreedom of the feeler 33 to movement longitudinally of 'the shuttle, the lever 22 will be turned into the position indicated in Fig. 3 as the lay beats up, and the train of mechanism will be positioned for effecting replenishment of filling, the turning movement of the lever 22 being limited by the stop 50.

The action of the feeler actuator under the frontward push of the surface on the lay or within the shuttle tends to turn the feeler or move it in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, but if this is impossible, owing to the engagement of the toothed or roughened end 35 with a working supply of filling, then the feeler actuator, acting through the arm 46 moves the.feeler carrier 20 frontwardly. When filling is substantially exhausted and the feeler is permitted to move in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, then the first action of the feeler actuator 43, under the frontward push, is to turn the feeler to the position indicated in Fig.3 and then move the feeler carrier and its associated parts frontwardly.

The construction described presents a good practical embodiment of the present invention. The action of the feeler under tie impulse of its light spring 36 is sensitive both to the presence and absence of filling, and the feeler actuator acts positively to effect movement of the feeler member in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle whenever the end of the feeler fails to be held from such movement by a working supply of filling in the shuttle. course, be'inade in the details of the construction shown, but applicant believes himself the first in the art to provide a feeler actuator acting as hereinbefore described to impart movement to the feeler by the front- 'ward push upon the actuator.

Changes may, of

engaging the arm as the ieeler actuator moves frontwardly and acting through said arm to move the teeler carrier frontwardly and to turn the lever in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler fails to be held from said movement by filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat.

2. In a teeler mechanism for looms, the combinationof afeeler stand, a feeler carrier mounted on the stand for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a lever pivotally mounted on and movable with the feeler carrier, a feeler carried by the lever, a spring for holding it normally in rear position, a feeler actuator movable frontwardly on each detecting beat, an arm extending laterally from the lever and through which extends the feeler actuator, a shoulder or abutment on the feeler actuator for engaging the arm as the teeler actuator moves frontwardly and acting through said arm to move the feeler carrier frontwardly and to turn the lever in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the teeler fails to be held from said movement byfilling in the shuttle on at detecting beat, and means connected with the lever for effecting replenishment of filling.

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a teeler stand, a feeler carrier mounted on the stand for movements toward and from the front of the loom, a lever pivotally mounted on and movable with the feeler carrier, a feeler carried by the lever, a spring for holding it normally in rear position, a feeler actuator movable frontwardly, on each detecting beat, an arm extending laterally from the lever and through which extends the feeler actuator, a shoulder or abutment on the feeler actuator for engaging the arm as the feeler actuator moves frontwardly and acting through said arm to move the feeler carrier frontwardly and to turn the lever in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the teeler fails to be held from said movement by filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, and a spring acting through said arm to swing the lever in the opposite direction to place the feeler in feeling position when the feeler actuator moves rearwardly.

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler carried by the feeler carrier and mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler actuator movable trontwardly on each detecting beat of the lay, an arm be tween the 'feeler actuator and feeler tending on each detecting beat to move the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and preventing from efiecting such movement by engagement of feeler with the'filh ing until the filling is substantially exhaust ed on a detecting beat, and means positioned for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle by the trontward movement of the feeler actuator. a

5. In a ieeler mechanism for looms, a feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front or" the loom, a feeler carried by the feeler carrier and mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle but held from, such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a feeler actuatormovable frontwardly on each detectingbeat of the lay, connections between the ieeleractuator and ieeler which effect frontward'movement of the feeler carrier when the teeler is held from movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by engagement with the filling'on a detecting beat and effect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the filling carrier when the-filling is substantially exhausted, means positioned for efiect'ing replenishment oi filling when the feeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward movement of the feeler actuator, and a spring acting upon the connectionibetween the teeler member and actuator for returning the feeler to feeling position after replenishment of filling. V

6. In a feeler mechanism'for looms, a teeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a feeler carried by the feeler carrier andjmounted for movement lOIlgltLltlllltLllyOf the shuttle but held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial ex haustion thereof, a feeler actuator movable frontwardly on each detectingbeat of the lay,-lugs on the feeler carrier through which the lfeeler actuator is free to be moved by the trontward pressure ona detecting beat, connections between the feeler actuator and iteeler for moving thefeeler carrier front wardly on each detectin beat and for mov ing the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the fillingis substantially exhausted, and means-positionedior eilecting replenishment of filling when the teeler is moved longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward movement of the it'eeler actuator.

7. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler carrier mountedfor movement towardand from the front of the loom, a feeler' supporting lever pivotally mounted on the teeler carrier, a feeler mounted on, the lever, a feeler actuator mounted for; frontward and rearward movement relative to the feeler carrier, an arm extending between-the teeler and feelerj actuator and, acting through itherfeeler supporting lever to etfecttrontward movement of the teeler carrier through frontward 'movement of the actuator'when-the feeler is held from movement longitudinally of the shuttle by filling in the shuttle on a detecting beat, and also acting through said lever to effect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted.

8. In a feeler mechanism, the combination of a feeler carrier,a feeler pivotally mounted on the carrier,-a feeler actuator constructed and arranged to engage a part carried by the lay and to be moved frontwardly thereby on each detecting beat of the lay, an arm connected to the feeler and engaged by the feeler actuator as it moves frontwardly to effect movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantially exhausted.

9. In a feeler mechanism, the combination of a feeler carrier mounted for movement toward and from the front of the loom, a lever'mounted on the carrier and provided with a relatively movable feeler, an arm extended from the lever, a feeler actuator passing loosely through the arm and having a part to engage the arm and turn the lever in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler fails to be held from such movement by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom and for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle, a feeler actuator mounted to engage a surface carried by the lay upon a detecting beat, and to be moved frontwardly thereby, and means actuated by the actuator as it moves frontwardly on a detecting beat tending to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler and a feeler actuator mounted for movement towardand from the front of the loom and both of which engage a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat and are independently moved frontwardly by the frontward pressure of said surface, and a swinging arm connecting the feeler and feeler actuator for moving the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the.

shuttle due to the frontward movement of the actuator when the filling is substantially exhausted.

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler mounted for movement longitudinally of the shuttle and held from such movement by engagement with the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, a feeler actuator movable frontwardly on a detecting beat by the frontward thrust upon it of a part carried by the lay, a connection between the actuator and feeler which causes the frontward thrust of a part carried by the lay upon the actuatorto move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle when the filling is substantiallyexhausted, and a lever connected to the feeler.

13. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler and feeler actuator mounted for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom on each detecting beat of the lay, connections between the feeler and feeler actuator due to the frontward pressure of a surface on the lay that cause frontward movement of the actuator to effect movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler fails to be held from such movement by the filling on a detecting beat, and means positioned by movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle for replenishing filling.

14. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler and feeler actuator for engaging different portions of the same surface within the shuttle and mounted for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom on each detecting beat of the lay, connections between the feeler and feeler actuator that cause frontward movement of the actuator due to frontward pressure upon it to effect movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when the feeler fails to be held from such movement by the filling on a detecting beat, and means positioned by movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle for replenishing filling.

15. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagement with the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion there of, an actuator for the feeler mounted to be engaged and moved frontwardly by a surface within the shuttle, and connections between the actuator and feeler tending to move the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle as the actuator is moved by the frontward pressure of the surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat.

16. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is mounted for movement in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle and is held from such movement by engagementwith the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a light spring for holding the feeler'in rearward feeling position, and an actuator mounted to be engaged by a surface within the shuttle on a detecting beat and be pushed frontwardly thereby and by such frontward movement of the actuator to effect movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle when filling is substantially exhausted.

17. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a feeler and a feeler actuator independently mounted for reciprocating movement toward and from the front of the loom and both of which engage a surface Within the shuttle on a detecting beat and are inde pendently moved frontwardly by the front- Ward pressure of said surface, and connections between the feeler and actuator that cause frontWard movement of the actuator due to frontward pressure of a part on the lay to effect movement of the feeler in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle When the filling is substantially exhausted.

18. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler and a feeler actuator both of which engage a surface Within the shuttle on a detecting beat and are moved frontwardly by the frontward pressure, a

spring normally acting to project the end of the feeler rearwardly of the actuator and yielding under the frontward pressure to permit the actuator to receive upon it the frontWard pressure, mechanism connecting the feeler and feeler actuator tending to cause movement of the feeler longitudinally of the shuttle by the frontward push upon the actuator and prevented from effecting such movement by engagement of the feeler with the filling on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, and means ISAAC SNOW. 

